FIRST WORD | Dominic Hutchinson

New signing Dom Hutchinson said he already feels at home playing for the Stones.

The 20-year-old forward signed a two-year deal with the club and the Watford Academy graduate got his first 45 minutes on Saturday playing in the centre of the park, something slightly different for the forward, and then got his first goal for the club in the 4-4 draw with Beaconsfield on Monday night.

"I've watched the club since I was young, I live in the area so I'm excited to get the deal done and be here", he said. "I know some of the boys who had been at Watford previously, but everyone has helped me fit in. Stuart and Matty watched a lot of the u23 games as well which made me familiar with them."

After a promising spell at Eastbourne last season, where he scored eight in 29 matches, Hutchinson will now make the step up to National League football this season.

"It's a new league for me, some big names in the league," he said. "I'm looking forward to making my debut at the Vale and playing in these big stadiums, I just want to do as well as I can for the team. The way they want to play football, playing out from the back, It just really sucked me in and want to get involved. play out from the back with the ball on the floor. We did that at Watford so that experience will help me a lot. I'm an attacking player, I like going forward, creating chances and scoring goals."

With five preseason games left and a mere three weeks till the opening day, the countdown is on.

You can watch Hutchinson and the Stones take on QPR on Wednesday 20th July at The Vale. Just a handful of tickets remain for this fixture and are available online, don't delay, purchase yours now as we anticipate a sell-out crowd.

Words by Chloe Atkins

Pic by Mike Renny